Students with Solutions

brushbell:

Stores
ABC Story and State Map
Beautiful online store. All USA
Adorabl & unique US products
Get the American Made Matters logo

Success Stories:
US Olympic Team’s uniforms to be made in the US

Petitions
Adorabl & unique US products

brushbell:

one of these days Bolin will do something really stupid for Korra, and she’ll realize why and she’ll ask:

“After all this time?”

And he’ll say:

“Always.”

And we will:

brushbell:

one of these days Bolin will do something really stupid for Korra, and she’ll realize why and she’ll ask:

“After all this time?”

And he’ll say:

“Always.”

And we will:

brushbell:

I wanted to make this chart to clearly outline the pros and cons of the materials we use every day.  Based on EPA’s facts about Styrofoam, Plastic, Glass, and Aluminum (and metals in general) here is a general rule of thumb for what you should use, and how often you should use it.

Styrofoam:
NEVER use Styrofoam.  It is 0% recyclable and breaks down in the environment into its chemical bases, which is a toxic form of pollution.  Now you can buy bio-degradable packing peanuts made from corn starch that dissolve in liquid, but still keep in mind that you should not use Styrofoam cups or take out boxes.  These are NOT biodegradable and if they are, they are coated in a plastic that will prevent them from breaking down. (because you don’t want your coffee cup melting in your hand)

Plastic: 
Plastic is a really incredible material, it’s light weight and “cheap.”  But plastic is made from the same stuff we put in our cars: Petroleum! If we want to conserve what’s left of our petroleum reserves we need to really cut back on our plastic use, especially the “one use plastics” like bags, utensils and cups.  A German scientist has invented a kind of plastic that is 100% recyclable.  “Cradle to Cradle” plastic. 

Glass
Glass is 100% recyclable, and it comes from a completely sustainable source: Sand! However, it IS heavy, and it IS breakable, but with the power of science many companies are providing lighter, break resistant glass.  Think about it, those starbucks frappuccino drinks come in glass bottles, so does old school coke.  Use glass when you can, and make sure to save it all for a Monthly or Bi-Monthly trip to a recycling drop off center, since most Curb Side services will not pick up glass recycling.

Aluminum, Tin, & Steel
These metals are incredible, like plastic they are light weight and durable, but they are 100% recyclable as long as they aren’t coated in plastic or wax. They are all 100% recyclable because they are a metal and easily melt down and can be reformed. The only down-side is that we get the raw material from mining, which can have a negative effect on the environment. Especially mountain top removal mining, which is the new “most efficient” method, but almost the most detrimental.  You’ll be surprised how many of the items you use every day are Aluminum, Tin, and Steel.  Just check the bottom and chuck it in the recycling bin. 

brushbell:

Easy Plastics to Avoid:
Plastic Utensils - Wash and Reuse a few, or use cheap metal camping utensils

Bottles: Especially water bottles, bring your own reusable bottles from home. They make really nice metal ones now, but if you do buy plastic make sure it’s BPA free.

Coffee Cups - The paper cup can’t be recycled and neither can the plastic.  It’s SO easy to keep the  Starbucks ceramic and plastic re-fillable cups in your car and use them.  Every coffee house is more than willing to use your cup.  (but not fast food joints)

Plastic Bags - These are the bane of the environment’s health. animals eat them, they can ruin a nice looking landscape, they clog sewer drains and cause flooding.  Buy a pretty cloth or plastic bag and keep them in your car. 

Good luck everyone! I promise that once you switch to these options you will not regret it.  It feels so good and it’s 100% easy and do-able even for the busiest person.

brushbell:

Easy Plastics to Avoid:
Plastic Utensils - Wash and Reuse a few, or use cheap metal camping utensils

Bottles: Especially water bottles, bring your own reusable bottles from home. They make really nice metal ones now, but if you do buy plastic make sure it’s BPA free.

Coffee Cups - The paper cup can’t be recycled and neither can the plastic.  It’s SO easy to keep the  Starbucks ceramic and plastic re-fillable cups in your car and use them.  Every coffee house is more than willing to use your cup.  (but not fast food joints)

Plastic Bags - These are the bane of the environment’s health. animals eat them, they can ruin a nice looking landscape, they clog sewer drains and cause flooding.  Buy a pretty cloth or plastic bag and keep them in your car. 

Good luck everyone! I promise that once you switch to these options you will not regret it.  It feels so good and it’s 100% easy and do-able even for the busiest person.

brushbell:

I wanted to make this chart to clearly outline the pros and cons of the materials we use every day.  Based on EPA’s facts about Styrofoam, Plastic, Glass, and Aluminum (and metals in general) here is a general rule of thumb for what you should use, and how often you should use it.

Styrofoam:
NEVER use Styrofoam.  It is 0% recyclable and breaks down in the environment into its chemical bases, which is a toxic form of pollution.  Now you can buy bio-degradable packing peanuts made from corn starch that dissolve in liquid, but still keep in mind that you should not use Styrofoam cups or take out boxes.  These are NOT biodegradable and if they are, they are coated in a plastic that will prevent them from breaking down. (because you don’t want your coffee cup melting in your hand)

Plastic: 
Plastic is a really incredible material, it’s light weight and “cheap.”  But plastic is made from the same stuff we put in our cars: Petroleum! If we want to conserve what’s left of our petroleum reserves we need to really cut back on our plastic use, especially the “one use plastics” like bags, utensils and cups.  A German scientist has invented a kind of plastic that is 100% recyclable.  “Cradle to Cradle” plastic. 

Glass
Glass is 100% recyclable, and it comes from a completely sustainable source: Sand! However, it IS heavy, and it IS breakable, but with the power of science many companies are providing lighter, break resistant glass.  Think about it, those starbucks frappuccino drinks come in glass bottles, so does old school coke.  Use glass when you can, and make sure to save it all for a Monthly or Bi-Monthly trip to a recycling drop off center, since most Curb Side services will not pick up glass recycling.

Aluminum, Tin, & Steel
These metals are incredible, like plastic they are light weight and durable, but they are 100% recyclable as long as they aren’t coated in plastic or wax. They are all 100% recyclable because they are a metal and easily melt down and can be reformed. The only down-side is that we get the raw material from mining, which can have a negative effect on the environment. Especially mountain top removal mining, which is the new “most efficient” method, but almost the most detrimental.  You’ll be surprised how many of the items you use every day are Aluminum, Tin, and Steel.  Just check the bottom and chuck it in the recycling bin. 

brushbell:

Easy Plastics to Avoid:
Plastic Utensils - Wash and Reuse a few, or use cheap metal camping utensils

Bottles: Especially water bottles, bring your own reusable bottles from home. They make really nice metal ones now, but if you do buy plastic make sure it’s BPA free.

Coffee Cups - The paper cup can’t be recycled and neither can the plastic.  It’s SO easy to keep the  Starbucks ceramic and plastic re-fillable cups in your car and use them.  Every coffee house is more than willing to use your cup.  (but not fast food joints)

Plastic Bags - These are the bane of the environment’s health. animals eat them, they can ruin a nice looking landscape, they clog sewer drains and cause flooding.  Buy a pretty cloth or plastic bag and keep them in your car. 

Good luck everyone! I promise that once you switch to these options you will not regret it.  It feels so good and it’s 100% easy and do-able even for the busiest person.

brushbell:

I wanted to make this chart to clearly outline the pros and cons of the materials we use every day.  Based on EPA’s facts about Styrofoam, Plastic, Glass, and Aluminum (and metals in general) here is a general rule of thumb for what you should use, and how often you should use it.

Styrofoam:
NEVER use Styrofoam.  It is 0% recyclable and breaks down in the environment into its chemical bases, which is a toxic form of pollution.  Now you can buy bio-degradable packing peanuts made from corn starch that dissolve in liquid, but still keep in mind that you should not use Styrofoam cups or take out boxes.  These are NOT biodegradable and if they are, they are coated in a plastic that will prevent them from breaking down. (because you don’t want your coffee cup melting in your hand)

Plastic: 
Plastic is a really incredible material, it’s light weight and “cheap.”  But plastic is made from the same stuff we put in our cars: Petroleum! If we want to conserve what’s left of our petroleum reserves we need to really cut back on our plastic use, especially the “one use plastics” like bags, utensils and cups.  A German scientist has invented a kind of plastic that is 100% recyclable.  “Cradle to Cradle” plastic. 

Glass
Glass is 100% recyclable, and it comes from a completely sustainable source: Sand! However, it IS heavy, and it IS breakable, but with the power of science many companies are providing lighter, break resistant glass.  Think about it, those starbucks frappuccino drinks come in glass bottles, so does old school coke.  Use glass when you can, and make sure to save it all for a Monthly or Bi-Monthly trip to a recycling drop off center, since most Curb Side services will not pick up glass recycling.

Aluminum, Tin, & Steel
These metals are incredible, like plastic they are light weight and durable, but they are 100% recyclable as long as they aren’t coated in plastic or wax. They are all 100% recyclable because they are a metal and easily melt down and can be reformed. The only down-side is that we get the raw material from mining, which can have a negative effect on the environment. Especially mountain top removal mining, which is the new “most efficient” method, but almost the most detrimental.  You’ll be surprised how many of the items you use every day are Aluminum, Tin, and Steel.  Just check the bottom and chuck it in the recycling bin.